Alumni Profiles: Sarah Jacobson

Philosophy majors pursue a wide variety of career paths after graduation, including but not limited to law, business, and higher education. Every few weeks, we will be featuring one of our department’s alumni, highlighting how their studies in philosophy have helped them in their post-graduate careers.

Sarah Jacobson graduated in 2005 with a degree in Philosophy. She now works as a Transit Control Supervisor for the Minneapolis Metro Transit. When asked how studying philosophy has helped her in her career, she said:

“My philosophy degree helped me transition into management positions easily, since I have superior critical thinking and problem solving skills and excellent written and oral communication. My career didn’t turn out as planned, but even so, I think my degree set me up to succeed.”

UC San Diego Summer Program for Women in Philosophy (SPWP)

The American Philosophical Association, with support from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, offers several undergraduate diversity institutes in philosophy. The goal of these institutes is to encourage and support undergraduates from underrepresented groups in philosophy.

UC San Diego Summer Program for Women in Philosophy

SPWP is a two-week program for undergraduate women in philosophy hosted by the UC San Diego Philosophy Department, featuring two philosophy seminar courses taught by visiting faculty, along with a variety of workshops taught by visiting and UC San Diego faculty and graduate students, all geared towards providing an engaging philosophical learning experience and helpful preparation for applying to and succeeding at graduate school in philosophy and beyond.

The 2017 Program is currently in the planning stages!  It will most likely be held in late June / early July 2017, and will feature two intensive seminar courses. In addition to these courses, the program will offer a number of workshops on things like: developing your writing, applying to graduate school, navigating academic culture.

For for information, visit their website.

 

Fall 2016 Ethics Bowl Competition

On November 12th, Puget Sound’s fall Ethics Bowl team (Finn Dobkin, Colleen Hanson, Eileen Mapes-Riordan, Rae Nathan, Conor O’Keefe, and Zoe Ozdemir) coached by Professor Tubert, competed in the 2016 Northwest Regional Ethics Bowl at Pacific Lutheran University. Among the many topics they argued were: climate change refugees, exceptions to uniforms for religious purposes, and implementing taxes on red meat.

 

Pre Law Society Event on 11/15

Today, Tuesday, November 15th, at 6pm in Thompson 310 the Pre Law Society is hosting a guest speaker panel discussion on the value of a Law Degree, or JD. There will be four panelists (links to bios below) who will discuss the benefits of a Law degree and in particular, the many career paths a law degree can lead to. Often, students are torn on whether or not to attend law school because it is a considerable monetary investment and many students are not sure if a life as an attorney is for them. This event is meant to address these and additional questions as well as give students a perspective on the relative power of a JD compared to other graduate degrees. There is a very experienced and welcoming group of attorneys coming to speak and they will be more than happy to answer your questions. If you are considerding applying to or attending law school (and even if you aren’t) you’re encourage you to come!

http://www.shellybrownassociates.com/

http://mfrlawgroup.com/

http://www.dwt.com/people/johnmckay/

http://www.dwt.com/People/MichaelReiss

11/16 Lecture and Discussion with Sherri Irvin about Social Justice on a University Campus

“The Center for Social Justice as a Transformational Space on Campus: A Model” 

Abstract: The University of Oklahoma Center for Social Justice was created in 2008 within the Women’s and Gender Studies program. OU’s CSJ is now a hub for social-justice-related initiatives. This presentation offers a model for creating a center for social justice given limited resources and discusses how a center for social justice can intervene in a conservative campus climate.

The philosophy department is sponsoring a visit by Prof. Sherri Irvin, a co-director of University of Oklahoma Center for Social Justice, to talk about what their center does on a conservative campus. In addition to learning from their experience, our hope is that this is also one entry point for the ongoing discussion of what social justice movement can look like on this campus, integrating the academic, activist, and student life aspects.

Wednesday, November  16, 2016 from 4pm-5:30pm
Murray Boardroom, Wheelock Student Center (WSC 108)

After the talk, we will host an extremely-casual dinner-and-further-conversation at the University Club House (1302 N. Alder St.) from 6pm-8pm.

Hip-Hop Artist Olmeca Comes to Campus

On Friday November 4, 2016, Hip-Hop artist Olmeca will be having a concert in Upper Marshall Hall at 8pm. Doors open at 7:30.  The event is free with your Puget Sound ID.  

Olmeca is a Hip-Hop artist/scholar/activist. His work has been featured on CNN Latino, ABC, Fox, NPR, URB Magazine, and television series, “Sons of Anarchy.” He has collaborated with Grammy winners including Taboo of Black Eyed Peas, Ozomatli, Maldita Vecindad and shared the stage with KRS-One, Jenni Rivera, Dilated Peoples, Julieta Venegas, among others. He is one of very few artists that can coexist in various genres without compromising artistry or conviction.

Olmeca’s unique talent in both English and Spanish is one that he has brilliantly mastered. A veteran of the L.A. hip-hop scene, Olmeca helped spawn a new trend of bilingual music that celebrates the Latin American diaspora in the United States. While everyday people respect Olmeca’s lyrical content, activists are drawn by his analytical intensity, hip-hop heads appreciate the edgy delivery, music connoisseurs value the production, and educators utilize Olmeca’s music in their classrooms to provide a counter narrative.

His unique experiences and work outside of the stage have been an example for motivation and reflection. Olmeca graduated from CSULA with a degree in Philosophy (Ethics and Politics). He has a long history in the immigrant rights movement supporting local groups throughout the U.S. and helping national campaigns to stop deportations. His work around community consciousness focusing on U.S. Latinx identity has been a point of reflection for many universities, and organizing spaces. He has also worked with an international network to support Indigenous Rights and Culture in Mexico focusing on the preservation of traditions and autonomy. He has been a keynote speaker in universities and conferences throughout the U.S. Canada and London and has presented alongside Zack de la Rocha of Rage Against the Machine, civil rights dignitary Dolores Huerta, as well as, notable journalist Naomi Klein.

“When he takes the mic, he carries a baton handed off in the proudest tradition of Woodie Guthrie, Gil Scott Heron and John Coltrane, and he answers Paolo Freire’s call for praxis: ‘reflection and action upon the world in order to transform it.’” -National Day Labor Organizing Network (NDLON)

Philosophy in an Inclusive Key Summer Institute (PIKSI)

The American Philosophical Association, with support from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, offers several undergraduate diversity institutes in philosophy. The goal of these institutes is to encourage and support undergraduates from underrepresented groups in philosophy.

Philosophy in an Inclusive Key Summer Institutes (PIKSI)

The two PIKSI programs are affiliated with one another but operate autonomously. The are funded in large part by grants from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the APA, as well as their host institutions.

PIKSI-Boston

PIKSI-Boston, founded in 2015, is held at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is also supported by the University of Massachusetts Boston.

• Dates: July 17-July 23, 2016
• Location: Cambridge, MA
• Application Information: Applications are accepted until March 21, 2016. The two PIKSI institutes use a shared application process. Applicants must complete an online application and submit a transcript and writing sample, and each must have a faculty sponsor. Undergraduates and recent graduates from underrepresented groups such as women, African Americans, Chicano/as and Latino/as, Native Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, LGBTs, economically disadvantaged communities, and people with disabilities are urged to apply.
• About the Institute: PIKSI summer institutes are designed to encourage undergraduates from underrepresented groups to consider future study of philosophy. Transportation and lodging are provided; stipends are awarded to all.
• Additional Information: PIKSI-Boston Website

PIKSI-Rock

PIKSI-Rock, founded in 2006, is held at the Rock Ethics Institute at Penn State University.

• Dates: June 13-22, 2016
• Location: State College, PA
• Application Information: Applications are accepted until March 21,2016. The two PIKSI institutes use a shared application process. Applicants must complete an online application and submit a transcript and writing sample, and each must have a faculty sponsor. Undergraduate women or men from underrepresented groups such as African Americans, Chicano/as and Latino/as, Native Americans, Asian Americans, LGBTQA persons, economically disadvantaged communities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
• About the Institute: PIKSI summer institutes are designed to encourage undergraduates from underrepresented groups to consider future study of philosophy.Each year, PIKSI-Rock chooses a theme for its institute; 2015’s theme is “Philosophy and Social Justice.” Transportation and lodging are provided; stipends are awarded to all.
• Additional Information: PIKSI-Rock Website